Three arrested in chase into South Side Slopes, ending with officers finding guns, drugs

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A police chase ending in South Side Slopes with officers finding guns and drugs led to three arrests early Thursday morning, Pittsburgh police said.

The pursuit began as a traffic violation before a chase began at Ormsby Street and Walter Avenue in Mount Oliver at about 1 a.m., police said.

Three people were in the black Ford Ranger police were pursuing, according to court documents. Police stopped the truck after a couple of blocks with a spiked strip in South Side Slopes, police said.

The Ranger's driver, Deonta Cunningham of Knoxville, fled and ran through a nearby wooded area, police said. He was caught as the passenger of a black Chevy Mailbu at South 18th and Quarry streets in South Side Slopes, police said.

Mr. Cunningham, 19, was found to be in possession of a "small, knotted baggie of marijuana," Oxycodone and $570, in addition to unidentified pills and and an unidentified crystal powder, police said.

Mr. Cunningham was charged with felony counts of carrying a firearm without a license, fleeing police, receiving stolen property, conspiracy and a drug charge; as well as providing false identification to police, loitering, and drug and motor vehicle violations.

Mr. Cunningham was taken to the Allegheny County Jail and is being held on $100,000 bail, according to court documents.

When the Ranger was stopped in South Side Slopes, the female passenger, Michelle Riley of Arlington Heights, exited, revealing a handgun under her leg, police said.

Ms. Riley, 21, was arrested on a felony charge each of receiving stolen property and conspiracy; and a firearms violation. She was transported to the Allegheny County Jail and is being held on $10,000 bail, according to court documents.

The third passenger of the Ranger was released, police said.

The handgun found in the Ranger had been reported stolen to Ross Township police in October 2012, police said.

A second handgun was discovered in the Malibu, police said.

The driver of the Malibu, Jameshia Moore of Braddock Hills, was arrested on a charge each of hindering apprehension or prosecution and a firearms violation, according to court documents.

Ms. Moore, 21, was taken to the Allegheny County Jail, where she is being held on a $5,000 bail, according to court documents.